The new technology of watermelon hybrid seed production
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In the production of hybrid watermelon seeds, careful planning and strict adherence to best practices are essential for ensuring high-quality results. First, crop rotation plays a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility and reducing disease risk. For many years, fields should not have been planted with Cucurbitaceae, Solanaceae, or tobacco crops. Instead, suitable predecessors include corn, alfalfa, wheat, and legumes. The chosen field should have loamy soil with high organic matter, good fertility, and a neutral pH. It is also important to keep these fields at least 500 to 1,000 meters away from melon fields to prevent cross-pollination.
Next, the selection of parent seeds must meet high standards. The parent seeds should exhibit strong characteristics of the desired variety, with a purity of at least 99.7% and a germination rate of no less than 90%, as per national standards. Parent seeds are categorized into large, medium, and small sizes, with recommended amounts of 0.3–0.35 kg, 0.2–0.25 kg, and 0.1–0.15 kg per 667 m², respectively. The male parent seed rate is typically around 20 grams per 667 square meters, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:20.
Planting usually begins in spring in northern Xinjiang when the soil temperature at 5 cm depth reaches above 15°C, typically between late April and early May. The male plants should be sown 7–10 days earlier than the female to ensure synchronized flowering. Plant spacing varies depending on the variety—large-fruited females may be broadcast, while smaller ones are more densely seeded. Male plants are planted on raised beds with clear separation from the female plants, spaced 20–30 cm apart. Seeds are sown in holes with 1–2 seeds each, at a depth of 1.5–2 cm, and a small amount of insecticide like carbofuran is added to protect against underground pests.
After emergence, seedlings are thinned to one plant per hole, with extra plants left if there are gaps. Male plants are pruned to two or three vines, while all side shoots are removed, keeping only the male flowers for pollination. Female plants are trained to grow a single main vine, with all side branches removed, and only female flowers retained for cross-pollination. Pruning should be done on sunny days to avoid infection from rain, and tools should be disinfected with alcohol and trisodium phosphate to prevent virus transmission.
Artificial cross-pollination is a critical step. Paternal purity is checked during flowering, and any plants showing differences in leaf or flower structure are removed. Pollination is conducted when female flowers open, typically between 6:30 AM and 11:00 AM, when temperatures are between 22–24°C. Female buds are capped with red paper the day before to ensure they are ready for pollination. Male flowers are collected early in the morning and stored in cool, sealed containers. Pollination is done by gently applying pollen to the stigma of the female flowers, covering them afterward to prevent unwanted pollination.
Cross-pollinated fruits are marked and monitored. When the fruit reaches egg size, it is confirmed as a successful cross, and non-pollinated fruits are removed. After pollination, all parent plants are destroyed to prevent contamination. Hybrid fruits are further marked with paint or markers to confirm their origin. Once mature, the fruits are harvested, and seeds are extracted after fermentation, washing, and cleaning.
Disinfection is essential to reduce pathogen risk. Seeds are soaked in a 1:80 disinfectant solution for 15 minutes, then dried on plastic screens, avoiding direct sunlight or metal surfaces. Dried seeds are stored in breathable bags, labeled with variety, quantity, and year. Seed quality is tested according to GB16715.1 standards, including purity, germination, moisture, and clarity.
Finally, disease and pest management is ongoing throughout the process. Common issues include damping-off, blight, anthracnose, and various insect pests. Integrated pest management strategies, including biological, physical, and chemical methods, are used to maintain healthy seed production. By following these steps, growers can produce high-quality hybrid watermelon seeds that meet industry standards.